Systems and methods for content placement, retrieval and management based on geolocation and other parameters

ABSTRACT

The present invention is in the technical field of geolocation. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of making content in the form of electronic data available for retrieval when a device has satisfied the Retrieval Range and other Rules which govern the ability to retrieve the content. Retrieval of Content by user devices may be based on Rules communicated by an App, Admin or third party interface and shall be contained and processed by an application interface engine.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is in the technical field of geolocation. Moreparticularly, the present invention is in the technical field of makingContent in the form of electronic data (hence forth “Content”) availablefor Retrieval when respective Retrieval has satisfied the RetrievalRange and within the criteria of Rules which govern the ability toRetrieve the Content. Retrieval of Content by User Devices may be basedon Rules communicated by App, Admin or third party interface and shallbe contained and processed by an APIE (defined herein).

BACKGROUND

As portable internet-connected devices, such as mobile phones, tablets,and laptops (aka User Devices), continue to evolve to provide Content tousers, the opportunity to share and distribute Content increases. In onesituation, Content can be Placed and its Retrieval controlled byexplicitly determining the recipients, perhaps by email address, accountidentifier or by another unique identifier, and transmitted directly tothe User Device. In another situation, Content can be Placed and itsRetrieval controlled by specifying an access code which only validrecipients know. Typically, the User Device placing the Content hasdistributed this access code manually or through an electroniccommunication to the intended recipient(s). In another example, the UserDevice placing the Content leaves the Content open to all users forRetrieval, with other Rules or no Rules applied.

A need exists for Content to be Retrievable based on location.Specifically, a need exists for system and methods that allow for theRetrieval of digital content based on a user's physical Geolocation.

Moreover, a need exists for Content to be Placed by a user so as to beaccessible by others when others are at or near the location of thePlaced Content. Specifically, a need exists for Content to be Placed andfor Retrieval Rules to be associated with the Placed Content.

Moreover, a need exists for Content to be Retrievable when a user iswithin a pre-defined range of the Geolocation of the Content. Morespecifically, a need exists for systems and methods that allow users toRetrieve Content when within the pre-defined range of the Geolocation ofthe Content, and that otherwise satisfies one or more other Rules forRetrieval.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a technology allowing the Placement andRetrieval of Content at a specific physical location. Particularly, thepresent invention is in the technical field of making Content availablefor User Device Retrieval when Retrieval is requested after satisfyingthe Geo Place Rules and any other Rules required to Retrieve suchContent. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to anAPIE for placing Content into a Geo Place and with Retrieval Rules,Retrieving all applicable Content. The APIE is an “engine” and a“platform” that is also for third party applications to use similar tothe App through APIs. Content Placement can specify one or moreRetrieval Rules for the Content to be Retrieved.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a system forassociating digital content with a physical location is provided.

It is, therefore, an advantage and objective of the present invention toprovide systems and methods for allowing Content to be Retrievable basedon location.

Specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present inventionto provide system and methods that allow for the Retrieval of digitalContent based on a user's physical Geolocation.

Moreover, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention toprovide systems and methods that allow Content to be Placed by a user soas to be accessible by others when others are at or near the location ofthe Placed Content.

Specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present inventionto provide systems and methods that allow Content to be Placed and forRetrieval Rules to be associated with the Placed Content.

Moreover, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention toprovide systems and methods that allow Content to be Retrievable when auser is within a pre-defined range of the Geolocation of the Content.

More specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the presentinvention to provide systems and methods that allow users to RetrieveContent when within the pre-defined range of the Geolocation of theContent, and that otherwise satisfies one or more other Rules forRetrieval.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord withthe present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations.In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similarelements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one example embodiment of a UserDevice.

FIG. 2 is a network diagram illustrating one example embodiment of anetwork system having a client server architecture (i.e. APIE to App orUser Device) configured for communicating and exchanging data over anetwork.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine or device in theexample form of a computer system within which a set of instructions forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein and which may be executed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process of registering with the APIE and obtainingcredentials and parameters for User Devices and Apps.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process of placing Content into Geo Place.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process of Retrieving Content.

FIG. 7 illustrates a process of Retrieving all Content and informationbased on the User Device's satisfaction of Geolocations and Rules.

FIG. 8 illustrates a process of placing, Retrieving and feature activityfor Content and/or information based on the App via User Device, GeoPlace and Rules satisfied.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one example method for Retrievinga Content from a Geo Place.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating one example method fordetermining APIE parameters for Content Rules from a Geo Place, in part.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of associating GeoPlaces based on Rules and meta data.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of dynamically updatingRetrieval Rules based on App and User Device's environmental factors.

FIG. 13 is an example GUI of an App or API on a User Device formodifying the Retrieval distance of a Content.

FIG. 14 is an example GUI of an App or API on a User Device showingdynamic Retrieval Rules based on App and User Device's environmentalfactors.

FIG. 15 is an example GUI of an App or API on a User Device being viewedby a user, to select a Geolocation.

FIG. 16 is an example GUI of an App or API on a User Device for settingthe Retrieval Rules of Content.

FIG. 17 is an example GUI of an App or API on a User Device for viewingContent in a map view with their respectful Geo Places and RetrievalRanges.

FIG. 18 is an example of visualization of a user's path for ContentRetrieved by User Devices.

FIG. 19 is an example GUI of an App or API on a User Device fornotifications to users via Apps and User Devices.

FIG. 20 is an example GUI of an App or API on a User Device for finding,viewing, reviewing and sifting through Content.

FIG. 21 is an example GUI of an App or API on a User Device forfollowing, viewing, reviewing and selecting Content based on movementand notification via Geolocation and Geo Places.

FIG. 22 is an example GUI of an App or API on a User Device for viewingall Content which User Devices have satisfied the Retrieval Rules toaccess Content via User's Library via App.

FIG. 23 illustrates a flow chart for utilizing a “Let's Do This” featurein an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a technology allowing the Placement andRetrieval of Content once a User Device has satisfied the Geo PlaceRules and any other Rules and parameters required by the APIE. Referringnow to the invention in more detail, wherein like numerals refer to likeparts. The Content may be Retrievable by a user using a User Device (asdefined herein) via an App, via website, via a third party application;or as otherwise apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Definitions

Application Programming Interface Exchange (APIE): An engine andplatform in which the exchange for an Application Programming Interfaceand electronic software applications communicate and process, which mayuse computer devices, servers, databases, programs, storages, Apps,Admins and User Devices.

Application (App): The electronic software that is local to a UserDevice that processes and communicates with the APIE, including thirdparty Apps, whether by program application, program web application,through a website or any network communication system.

Admin: The electronic software that may include the following functions:control, modify, delete, reprocess, process, and communicate, with APIE,as well as other like functions as apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art.

Content: Electronic data aggregated to one or many title(s).

Event: A Geolocation having associated therewith a plurality of GeoPlaces.

Geolocation: A geographic location or area measured by one of manytechnologies, such as but not limited to: Global Positioning System(GPS), wireless systems, beacons, location systems, and other liketechnologies.

Geo Place: Content with a Geolocation as a Rule.

Retrieval: A User Device using Content in any format and in allcapacities via an App or a website.

Retrieval Range: The range Rule from a Geo Place or Event in which aUser Device may Retrieve Content in respect to the Geolocation of theUser Device, such as the physical distance from the location of aContent of which the Content may be Retrieved by a User Device. ARetrieval Range generally does not need to verify if other Rules need tobe satisfied.

Retrieval Rules: The set of Rules for Content, which shall be for anEvent of Geo Places or a Geo Place, and which, when said Rules forEvent, Geo Place and/or Content have been satisfied, Content isRetrieved and/or used by a User Device.

Rules: One or many requirements set on a Geo Place and/or Content, andin which any part or in whole may be satisfied to release Content partsor in whole, for use accordingly.

Unique Identifier (UID): Used by APIE to verify, identify and/orcommunicate with a user, User Device, App, Content, Geo Place,Geolocation, Event or third party registrations, which can be: uniqueand random keys, registration codes, encryptions, or other like securitymeasures.

User Device: A mobile device using electronic communication andprocessing, which can have one or more Apps and/or access one or morewebsites and can communicate and process with APIE.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a User Device100, which could be a mobile phone, tablet, or other computing device.The User Device 100 may be utilized to generate, Place, and RetrieveContent at a Geo Place in conjunction with the APIE 218. The User Device100 can include a user Interface Module 102, a Location Services Module104, a Storage Device 106, and a Processor 110.

Specifically, the User Device 100 may have a user Interface Module 102that provides direct access to the APIE 218 (as illustrated in FIG. 2)for Placement and Retrieval of Content. The Location Services Module 104ascertains the User Device's geographical location, such as, forexample, coordinates for associating with Content and for the Retrievalof Content. Multiple sensors and inputs may be utilized to obtain thisinformation such as, for example, GPS, Wi-Fi, sensors, beacons orBluetooth based sensors.

The Storage Device 106 includes memory that may be used by the Processor110. The Storage Device 106 stores data utilized by the APIE 218. TheProcessor 110 is a central processing unit and includes a ContentCapture Module 112, a Content Placement Module 114, and a ContentSharing Module 116. The Content Capture Module 112 allows the UserDevice to capture digital media including but not limited to URL, text,screen captures, pictures, video, and audio. The Content PlacementModule 114 allows users to select Geolocations for Content which theymay capture using the Content Capture Module 112 or that may already bestored on the Storage Device 106. The Content Sharing Module 116 allowsthe User Device 100 to share Content Placed at Geolocations with otherUser Devices 100 and also the use of the APIE 218 under the parametersof said system and Rules if any.

FIG. 2 is a network diagram illustrating a communication system 200 fortransmitting data between multiple User Devices 202 and an APIE 218 overa Network 204. This is an example of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in the form of client server architecture. Other exampleembodiments include network architectures such as distributed networkenvironments and peer-to-peer environments.

The communication system 200 in this example includes an ApplicationProgram Interface (API) Server 206 which communicates with anApplication Server 208 to Retrieve and store data on a Database 216through Database Server 214. One such use for a network architecture asdescribed herein is to Place and Retrieve Content or Geo Places andRules which govern this Retrieval. In such an embodiment, the ContentRetrieval Module 210 handles the interface of validating a User Device's202 geolocation against the Rules of Geo Places. If the User Device 202satisfies the Rules, then the Geo Place is Retrieved and returned to theUser Device 202. In such an embodiment, the Content Storage Module 212handles the interface of receiving Geo Places and Rules from a UserDevice 202 and storing the data within a Database 216.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computer system300 which may be used in some embodiments of the invention. While thecomputer system 300 illustrates various components of a computer system,it is not intended to represent any particular architecture or manner ofexecutable instructions which cause a processor to perform certainsteps. This invention may run on or with computers systems similar toFIG. 3.

Specifically, the computer system 300 may include components typical ofcomputer systems that are known by those of ordinary skill in the art,including a processor 302, main memory 304, static memory 306, a videodisplay 310, an alpha-numeric input device 312, a user interfacenavigation device 314, a drive unit 316, a signal generation device 318,all of which may be connected to each other through a main bus 308.Instructions 324 may be processed via the processor 302, and stored inone or more of the main memory 304, static memory 306 and/or the machinereadable medium 322 on the drive unit 316. The network interface device308 may be connected to a network 326.

FIG. 4 illustrates a general method 400 of the present invention forallowing a User Device 402 access to and registration with the App andAPIE 218. Registration is required prior to using the APIE 218 for thepurpose of Content Placement and Retrieval. To register, the User Device402 accesses the App and APIE 218 by sending Registration Information404 to the APIE 218. Once the requirements of registration aresatisfied, the User Device with the App 402 can access the APIE 218 viaUID contained within the response message Registration UID 408 toperform additional APIE functions.

FIG. 5. Illustrates a general method 500 of the present invention forallowing a User Device 502 to Place a Content at a Geolocation to createa Geo Place. In this embodiment, the User Device 502 sends the Contentwith parameters 504 to the APIE 218 for processing. The APIE 218 thenreturns a series of Result Codes 508 indicating the success or failureof various processing steps.

Each call to the APIE 218 may specify the following parameters, not allwhich are required:

-   -   Registration UID 408—Obtained by registration via the process        described in FIG. 4.    -   Geo Place (e.g., A Content paired with a Geolocation).    -   Rules—For example here are some of the Rules that may be Placed        on Content, each Rule being independent of another, for purposes        of Retrieval in full or part:        -   Available Date—the available date and time that Content may            be first Retrieved by a User Device.        -   Expiration Date—the expiration date and time when Content            can no longer be Retrieved by a User Device. An expiration            date may not be required.        -   Privacy—the levels and exceptions for which users, if any,            are allowed to Retrieve Content. A Privacy may not be            required.        -   Sharing—Even though sharing is a feature that may not be a            Retrieval Rule, sharing can be made to be a Retrieval Rule.            The requirement is for a user to share Content with other            users, in order to Retrieve Content. A sharing may not be            required.        -   Max Retrieval Quantity—this number specifies the number of            total Retrievals by unique User Devices and/or users that            Retrieve a specific Content. This number representing the            number of times Content may be Retrieved may not be            required.        -   Dynamic Retrieval Threshold—Specifies if the Retrieval            threshold can dynamically expand or contract to satisfy            Content demands, parameters; or Rules.

As a user Places Content associated with Geolocations, the User mayassociate further Geo Place conditions and/or meta data as follows.Specifically, further conditions or meta data may include defining anEvent (as discussed in more detail below), and/or adding a title and/ora longer description that may provide a contextual overview of theContent Placed. Moreover, the Content may be defined by type or acategory that defines the Content, such as being defined as an audiofile, a picture file, a video file, a URL with or without page capture,text, or other like types or categories. In addition, the Content mayhave the ability to be flagged to indicate the identity of the user thatRetrieves the Content, or provide a counter showing the number of timesthe Content has been Retrieved. Other like conditions or meta data mayinclude a text field where information about the Content may be Placed,a file name, such as a field that specifies the location of files thatcorrelate to Content, or a retrieval notification flag that indicates tothe user whether the Content is Retrieved. Other like conditions or metadata may be associated with the Content as may be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art.

According to FIG. 5, the Content Placement call 504 passes all of theprovided parameters (i.e., Content with Geolocation based Rules) to theAPIE 218 which in turn validates all of the provided parameters. If arequired parameter is omitted, or is provided incorrectly, or does notmatch, the APIE 218 generates one or more codes 508 and returns them tothe calling application 502.

If the required parameters are valid, the Placed Content is added toAPIE's associated database, as shown in FIG. 2 component 216, and theContent is available for Retrieval.

The Placement of Content and subsequent association of the Content to aGeolocation may create a Geo Place for Retrieval by User Device(s) whichmay be done in any manner, such as by accessing the APIE 218 via an App,browser or interface from any computing device.

For example, referring again to FIG. 2, a system 200 of the presentinvention allows one or more users and User Devices 202 to interact withthe APIE 218 for Placement of Content to form Geo Places. Specifically,as Content is generated by Admin and User Devices 202, the APIE 218 mayallow the user to access the APIE 218 as shown in FIG. 2, wherein theContent and associated Geo Places and associated Rules may be storedutilizing the Content Storage Module 212 on the Application Server 208.A UID that provides access to the Content may be generated by the APIEand may be passed to a User Device for further use thereof by the user,as described in more detail below.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG. 6 illustrates amethod 600 for allowing a User Device to Retrieve an individual Contentdefined as a Geo Place. Specifically, a User Device 602 has sent a“Retrieve Individual Content” call 604 to the APIE 218 into one or moreof the user's own applications (i.e., third party applications). TheAPIE 218 then processes the request and returns Result Codes 610indicating the result of the call.

Each call to the APIE 218 may specify the following parameters, not allwhich are required:

-   -   Registration UID 408—Obtained by registration via the process        described in FIG. 4.    -   Content UID—The UID of the Content to Request.    -   User Device geolocation.

After receiving the Retrieve Individual Content call 604, the APIE 218validates the provided parameters. If a required parameter is omitted,or is provided in incorrect format, or does not match (i.e., theprovided Registration UID 408 must be matched in the APIE), the APIE 218generates one or more codes and returns them to the calling applicationin the form of Result Codes 610.

If the required parameters are valid and the APIE UID matches, the APIE218 attempts to return the requested Content or Geo Place via the ReturnRequested Content step 608 (including, for example, the title,description, and the actual Content—the text field or the physicalfile).

Specifically, when the User Device running the App 602 within theappropriate Retrieval Range or has crossed the Retrieval Range forContent (as described below), and all the needed Rules are satisfied,APIE 218 returns the Content via step 608 (the title, description andtext field/file) via the Return Result Code(s) step 610, which willprovide a URL associated with the Content for Retrieval. If the user whoPlaced the Content required a Retrieval notification, the APIE 218 sendsa notification to the User Device of the user who Placed the Content. Inprocessing the call, the APIE 218 increments tracking fields and otheranalytics metrics. In one embodiment, the number of Retrievals isincremented.

When the User Device running the App is not within the appropriateGeolocation to Retrieve the Geo Place or Geo Places with Retrieval Rangefor the Content, the APIE 218 returns a code stating that the device isout of range for that Content.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG. 7 illustratesContent Retrieval Method 700 to a User Device with App 702.Specifically, the User Device 702, through the App, has a call to theAPIE 218.

Thus, FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 for allowing a User Device 702 toRetrieve all Contents which the User Device satisfies each of Content'sRules in part or whole including, for example, the User Device'sGeolocation. Specifically, a User Device 702 calls the APIE 218 with aspecific request for all Contents at a specific Geolocation via step704. The APIE 218 then processes the request and returns Result Codes710 indicating the result of the call. The parameters applicable to FIG.6 may apply here as well.

After receiving the request 704, the APIE 218 validates the providedparameters. If a required parameter is omitted, or is provided inincorrect format, or does not match (i.e., the provided Registration UIDmust be matched in the APIE), the APIE 218 generates one or more codesand returns them to the calling application in the form of Result Codes710.

If the required parameters are valid and the UID matches, the APIE 218finds all Geo Places which the parameters satisfy the Rules for GeoPlace and returns the Content to the User Device in the form of Contents708 (including, for example, the titles, descriptions, and theContents—the text field or the files).

In an alternate representation of the present invention, FIG. 8illustrates a method 800 illustrating Content Placement and ContentRetrieval, in an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, theApp, via the User Device may generate Content, as described above. TheContent may be selected by the App for sharing, notifying, invitingand/or communicating with others via the APIE 218 via step 802. The GeoPlace may also be selected by the User Device via step 804, as well asany number of other Rules and parameters specified above with referenceto FIG. 5. The Content 806 may then be shared via the APIE 218, wherethe Content 806 and associated Geo Place and Rules information, as wellas other parameters, may be stored via step 808.

At another point according to the method described in FIG. 8, other UserDevices may determine their Geolocation via step 810 using LocationServices Module 104 (as illustrated in FIG. 1) and submit the device'sGeolocation to the APIE Server 218 as Geolocation Information 812. TheAPIE Server 218 then processes this request and determines if theGeolocation Information 812 satisfies the access criteria for the sharedContent 814. If so, the APIE Server 218 returns the shared Content 816to the User Device to be displayed to the user via step 818.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG. 9 illustrates, in anembodiment of the present invention, a method 900 for providing UserDevice access to the Content that has been Placed in a Geo Place. In afirst step, the Geolocation of the User Device is performed via step 902followed by Retrieval of the Geolocation Rules of the Content via step904. The Geolocation of the User Device is compared to the GeolocationRules of the Content via step 906. If the User Device Geolocationsatisfies the Content Rules (as determined in step 908), the Content issent to the User Device 910. If not, then the method 900 ends withoutRetrieval of the Content by the User Device.

In an embodiment, the Content may have an associated Retrieval Range. Ifthe User Device running the App is within the Retrieval Range forContent, and other Content Rules are satisfied (such as, for example,the number of Retrieval times is less than any limit set by the user (inthis case Content provider), and the date for the attempted Retrieval isafter the provided available date and before the provided expirationdate), the APIE Server 218 returns the Content in the App. If the userwho Placed the Content required a Retrieval notification, the APIE 218sends a call to App. The APIE 218 increments tracking fields for thenumber of Retrievals as well as the number of times the APIE 218 wascalled for the specific Content.

When the user Device is running the App within the appropriate RetrievalRange for the Content or when User Device has crossed a Retrieval Range,but does not satisfy other Rules (Rules are created by Admin and App andare short listed above), the APIE 218 shall not allow Retrieval ofContent.

When the user Device running the App is not within the Retrieval Rangefor the Content or has not crossed the Retrieval Range for the Content,the APIE 218 will send a call for not satisfying the Geo Place Rules.

In an embodiment, Content associated with a particular Geo Place and/orEvent may have at least one Rule for retrieving the content, such as,for example, whether the user Device is at the Geo Place and/or Event,or within the Retrieval Range set. As noted above, other Rules forretrieving the content may be associated with the content, such aswhether the threshold number of retrievals has been reached, whether theretrieval is within the date range set, and other Rules associated withthe content, as described herein. More than one Content may beassociated with a Geo Place and/or an Event, and each Content may havedifferent Rules for retrieving associated therewith. Thus, a firstContent may have only one Rule for retrieving—whether the user Device isat the Geo Place or Event, or within the Retrieval Range of the GeoPlace or Event. A second Content may have two or more Rules forretrieving the content and thus may be “hidden” from users unless theother Rules for retrieving are satisfied. Therefore, different users mayobtain different content based at a Geo Place and/or Event based onwhether the user satisfies the various defined Rules for retrieving thevarious Content.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of one example method 1000 forRetrieving partial Content information based on a User Device 1002satisfying some but not all of a particular Content's Rules. In thisexample, a User Device 1002 makes a Retrieve Content call to the APIE218 similar to FIG. 7, sending the User Device's Geolocation Information1004. The APIE 218 processes the call and finds a particular Content'sRules are satisfied partially by the Geolocation Information 1004. TheAPIE 218 then returns the Partial Geo Place Data 1008 in accordance tothe Retrieval Rules. In this embodiment, the Content item has variousRules for each element of data. For example, the Content may have aRetrieval Range that is different and/or independent of the RetrievalRange for Content's metadata (e.g. title, description, comments, etc.);which may be set by user, APIE and/or Admin. If a User Device does notsatisfy all Retrieval Rules for Content, it can still satisfy some ofthe Retrieval Rules for Content.

As a result of this, a User Device may receive more information and/ormetadata on a Geo Place based on how close the User Device is to the GeoPlace. This will allow a user to get information and/or metadata fornearby Content that the User Device has not satisfied the RetrievalRange for, and can get more as the User Device gets closer.

FIG. 11 represents a process for associating Geo Places based on Rulesand metadata 1100. At step 1102, a User Device 100 (as illustrated inFIG. 1) places a Geo Place in the form described in FIG. 5. Once theAPIE 218 has received the request, the APIE processes the request anddetermines if there are any other Geo Places which based on Rules andmetadata satisfy the conditions of association. The first step ofassociation is determining if any other Geo Places exist at the sameGeolocation, as illustrated in step 1104. This matching process takesinto consideration Rules including, but not limited to, Retrieval Range.If an overlap exists between the Placed Geo Place in step 1102 and otherGeo Places already stored, the APIE 218 determines if any of theattributes (e.g. metadata) match as illustrated by step 1106. Forexample, if the two Geo Places shared the same title, or werecategorized as the same category of Content, the APIE 218 would thenconsider them a match and establish a bidirectional link between the GeoPlaces in the database as illustrated by step 1108. In one example ofthis functionality, Content can be associated to an Event and individualGeo Places. For example, consider if a user at a karate competitionplaces a video of the competition as a Geo Place. If the Event itself(i.e., the karate competition) is in the APIE 218, a video of thecompetition would be associated to the Event representing thecompetition. As other users add more Content at the Event, the APIEassociates all of them together and with the Event itself. In this way,Geo Places are naturally linked to related Geo Places and/or Events.

FIG. 12 represents a process of dynamically updating Retrieval Rulesbased on App and User Device's environmental factors. At step 1202, aUser Device 100 (as illustrated in FIG. 1) sends its Geolocation to theAPIE 218. This request is represented in FIG. 7 by step 704. Once theAPIE 218 receives the request, the APIE searches for Geo Places with itsRetrieval Rules which are satisfied by the User Device. If there are GeoPlaces for which the User Device's satisfies the Retrieval Rules, theAPIE simply returns the matching Geo Places' Content.

If there are no matching Geo Places, the APIE performs a second searchfor Geo Places which support dynamic Retrieval Ranges, as illustrated bystep 1204. Dynamic Retrieval Range allows the APIE to expand thepredefined Retrieval Ranges for Geo Places in the circumstance that noother Content is near the User Device. This is particularly useful inlarge open environments, such as mountains, forests, and deserts. If noGeo Places satisfy this criterion, the process is over. If there are GeoPlaces with dynamic Retrieval Ranges, the APIE will adjust the RetrievalRange to encompass the User Device's position, thus satisfying theRetrieval Threshold of a Geo Place, as illustrated in step 1206. TheAPIE then sends the Content to the User Device as illustrated in step1208. The dynamic Retrieval Range allowances may be set by user, APIEand/or Admin.

FIG. 13 is an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) of an App's orAPI's interface on a User Device for modifying the Retrieval Range of aContent 1300. In this example embodiment, a User Device allows a user toselect the Retrieval Range of a particular Geo Place by utilizing aslider 1302. In this way, different Geo Places can have variousRetrieval Ranges. One example of this functionality is to allow Contentto have larger and smaller audiences. For example, a restaurant off thebeaten path may want a relatively large Retrieval Range for theirContent, to allow people far away to discover their Content. In anotherexample, a scavenger hunt organizer may want a very small RetrievalRange for their Content, to make it more difficult for scavenger huntparticipants to discover the Content.

Referring now to FIG. 14, which is an illustration 1400 to visuallypresent how more Retrievable Content may be available if no Content ornot enough Content is available to a User Device 1408 when such UserDevice 1408 may be out of the Retrieval Range 1404. This illustration isan example of the process in FIG. 12 of dynamic Retrieval Ranges. Thiswill allow the user to see more Content 1402 around them based on whatis currently nearby to the User Device 1408. For the example, UserDevice 1408 will be able to use the Content 1402 even though User Deviceis outside Retrieval Range 1404 in this instance. Specifically, the UserDevice 1408 may be outside the normal Retrieval Range 1404 of theContent 1402. By following the method of FIG. 12, the APIE analyzeswhether there are Geo Places nearby that have dynamic Retrieval Ranges(step 1204). If so, the APIE adjusts the Retrieval Range 1406 of theContent 1402 via step 1206 and then sends to the User Device, via step1208, the now-discoverable and Retrievable Content 1402.

Referring to FIG. 15, for when a user Places Content using the Appmodule 1500, the Geolocation Selection Module 1504 shall gather theGeolocation from User Device to create a Geo Place via Geo PlaceSelection Module 1502. The selection of the Geolocation can be automaticbased on the User Device's Geolocation information or the user can movethe Placement of the Content to a different area via GeolocationSelection Module 1504 to create a Geo Place. When a user chooses toPlace the Content in a different area, the user shall have a placementrange that is acceptable to Place within, and this range is processed bythe App module 1500 and Geolocation, due to the parameters set by theAPIE 218 and/or Admin and communicated to App.

FIG. 16 is an example of a screen for App module 1600 for a user toinput Rules 1602 for Content at a Geo Place to make Retrieval Rules. Inthis example user would select the maximum number of Retrievals,Retrieval distance from Geo Place (aka Retrieval Range) and/or whetherdynamic Retrieval Range is desired, and Retrieval time limits. Retrievaltime limits may typically have a start date and time and may have anexpiration date and time. This example is a short list of potentialRules a user providing Content may apply to a Geo Place, and it shouldbe noted that other Rules may be provided to a user for providingRetrievable Content to a Geo Place.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example GUI of an App or API on a User Device forviewing Content in a map view with a plurality of Geo Places and theirassociated Retrieval Ranges 1700. In this example embodiment, a UserDevice shows a map with Geo Places overlaid and Placed at theirrespectful Geolocations. The size of the circle indicates the range sizeof the Retrieval Range and shows what area a User Device must be in tosatisfy the Geo Place's Rule for Retrieval Range. Item 1704 is a GeoPlace with a relatively small Retrieval Range. Item 1702 is a Geo Placewith a relatively medium Retrieval Range. Item 1706 is a Geo Place witha relatively large Retrieval Range.

As noted above, the Retrieval Range for a Geo Place and/or Event may bea circle surrounding the particular Geo Place and/or Event, with the GeoPlace and/or Event at the center of the circle. Moreover, the user maybe provided with the ability to adjust the size of the Retrieval Rangeby, for example, adjusting the radius of the Retrieval Range, therebymaking the circle bigger or smaller, as desired by the user. TheRetrieval Range, however, may be other shapes and the invention shouldnot be limited as defined herein. For example, the Retrieval Range maybe in the form of a custom shape. For example, a user may be presentedwith the option to place “posts” around a Geo Place and/or Event, andthe system defined herein may connect the posts together, either asstraight lines, curved lines, or combination of straight lines andcurved lines, to define a custom Retrieval Range having a shapedifferent from circular.

The controls to adjust the size and/or shape of the Retrieval Range fora Geo Place and/or Event may be presented to a user in any manner, suchas using “+” or “−” symbols on a screen, or placing the user's finger ona graphical representation of the Retrieval Range and manually movingthe boundaries thereof outwardly, inwardly, and/or to form any shape.

For example, the user may wish to design a Retrieval Range for a GeoPlace and/or Event that traces the contours of a map, such as hills,mountains, rivers, lakes, buildings, towns, cities and other liketopographical features. Thus, the user may define a Retrieval Range thatmatches the contours of the area surrounding the Geo Place and/or Event.Alternatively, the system described herein may have stored a map havingtopographical contours defined thereon, such as natural landscapetopography, buildings, streets, or other like topographical contours. Auser may select to generate an automatic Retrieval Range based on thecontours of the stored map. Specifically, a user would merely need toprovide a Geo Place and/or Event location, either using the geo locationof a mobile phone or other like device, or to specify an address or GPScoordinates for where the desired Geo Place and/or Event is located. Thesystem of the present invention may then automatically place a customRetrieval Range around the Geo Place and/or Event based on the contoursof the stored map.

Referring to FIG. 18, which is an illustration 1800 to visually presenta user's path 1810, and what Content may be available to user's UserLibrary on the user's User Device. For an example 1808 represents a GeoPlace, Retrieval Range and Retrieval Rules for Content; in this examplethe User Device must cross through the Retrieval Range (and otherwisesatisfy the Retrieval Rules) of this Geo Place and use the Contentwithin this Retrieval Range for user to have rights to it in the UserDevice's User Library. Also for an example 1802 may represent a secondGeo Place, Retrieval Range and Retrieval Rules for Content; in thisexample the User Device must cross through the Retrieval Range (andotherwise satisfy the Retrieval Rules) of this Geo Place and use theContent within this Retrieval Range, for user to have rights to it inthe User Library of the User Device. Also for an example 1804 mayrepresent a third Geo Place, Retrieval Range and Retrieval Rules forContent; in this example the User Device must cross through theRetrieval Range (and other satisfy the Retrieval Rules) of this GeoPlace to access the Content, but may be granted access to use theContent outside this Retrieval Range, for user to have rights to it inthe User Library of the User Device. In this set of examples, if userdid not use the User Device and App to access the Content in theRetrieval Ranges of 1802, 1804 and 1808, then user could only haveContent 1804 if user has satisfied all other Rules for Content 1804 foruse by user's User Library. With this path 1810 of user, the User Devicemay receive notification of Content missed for 1802, 1806 and 1808. Thenotification may notify user based on what Content was missed and howthe user missed the Content and providing usage hints so that user mayRetrieve and utilize use more Content. In this same set of examples ofuser path 1810 the user may further receive notifications of missednearby Content. For example, Content 1806 may have an associatedRetrieval Range, which was missed by the User Device as the userfollowed path 1810. However, because the Content was relatively close,the User Device may still receive notifications of missed nearby Content1806, even though the User Device did not cross through the RetrievalRange of Content 1806. Notifications can be further shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 19 is an example GUI of an App or API on a User Device fornotifications to users via Apps and User Devices 1900. In this example,a User Device 100 receives a notification 1902 from the APIE 218informing the user there is Content nearby their Geolocation.Notifications are not limited to nearby Content. For Example,notifications can also inform users of activity related to their ownContent such as Retrievals, comments, and other actions by other Users,APIE or Admin.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example GUI on a User Device for finding,viewing, reviewing and sifting through Content, such as Contentaccessible in the user's User Library. In this example GUI, a User canmove and sift through the Content, much like they could if the Contentwere physically in front of them and they were sorting through a pile byuse of their hands. In this example, Content 2002 may be near the bottomof the pile and is obscured from view by other Content, such as Content2004. A user can select it to bring it to the top, or select it and pushit off the edges of the screen to dismiss the item, or sifting throughtop Content to get to Content 2002; or other actions such as store forlater, favorite, or share. Content 2004 is likewise near the bottom ofthe pile, but is on top of 2002. Content 2006 is at the top of the pile,and its view is not obscured by any other Content and thereby the usermay have quicker access for use of Content.

FIG. 21 is an example of a screen for App module 2100 which the App maydisplay images for Content 2102 and/or Content 2104 that may be nearbyUser Device. For example notification 2102 User Device may be withinRetrieval Range and notification 2104 may be for Content nearby. In thisexample if user satisfies all Retrieval Rules needed for Content thatnotification 2102 dynamically notified user for, then user may Retrieveand use the Content notified. In this same example User Device must moveto Retrieval Range for Content that user was notified by notification2104 to be able to satisfy Retrieval Rules for such Content. Thisexample of a screen and the mentioned examples are presented to explaina method for App to notify users of Retrieval Ranges and Content thatUser Devices are within or nearby, so that user can easily and activelyuse Content without extra actions, as applicable.

This FIG. 21 is also to demonstrate a method to randomly and/ordynamically notify users based on Geolocation, user's activities, users'activities, nearby activities, Admin and/or APIE to enhance and/orgamify user's experience.

FIG. 22 illustrates one example GUI of an Apps interface on a UserDevice for viewing a User Library of Content. In this example, theContent listed is only the Content which the User Device has satisfiedthe Retrieval Rules for. For example, if a User Device's Geolocationsatisfies all Retrieval Rules of a particular piece of Content, thatContent may then be part of the User's Library. If the User Device'sGeolocation changes and it no longer satisfies the Retrieval Rules ofthe Content, the Content may still be available in the user's UserLibrary so long as the Content allows for storage in User Library.Referring back to FIG. 19, assuming 1802, 1804, 1806, and 1808 all allowfor User Library storage, the User Path 1810 would satisfy the RetrievalRules of 1802, 1804, and 1808 (assuming all associated Retrieval Rulesrequired are otherwise satisfied and these items would be available inthe user's User Library. Content 1806 is not satisfied, and therefore isnot available in the user's User Library. Thus the systems and methodsof the present invention may limit whether Content is accessible andRetrievable only when a User Device is within the Retrieval Range andotherwise satisfies the required Retrieval Rules, or whether Content isaccessible and available to users after a user leaves the RetrievalRange and/or otherwise no longer satisfies the Retrieval Rules on auser's User Library.

In addition, additional Content may be retrievable or presented to usersafter the user leaves a Geo Place or Event, or Retrieval Range, asprovided herein. Thus, the systems and methods of the present inventionmay provide further additional Content to only those that attended theGeo Place or Event. Specifically, the systems and methods of the presentinvention may store the Geo Places and Events visited, and provide theadditional Content based on the user's prior attendances and geocoordinates. For example, an Event planner may wish to reward attendeesby providing them with, features, bonuses, Content and additionalContent, but only to those that attended; these maybe unlocked whileattending and/or after attended. Likewise, information concerning theGeo Place or Event may only be provided to those that attended the GeoPlace or Event, as desired by the Event planners. The intention is toreward users with content, bonuses and features if a user physicallyattends an event and/or activity

The systems and methods of the present invention may have other featuresknown as “social networking” functionality, including but not limited tothe following. Specifically, an App may include a “chat” feature thatallows users the ability to chat with other users, Admin the APIE and/oroutside parties as they are using the App or third party interfaces. An“invite” feature may be included that may allow a user to invite othersto a particular Geo Place, Geolocation or Event, which may include manyGeo Places that form, in effect, a “Geo Fence”, to utilize Contentduring an open or a specified time period. The invited users may be ableto accept, maybe, deny, visit on their own, or propose another time tomeet.

In addition, a user may publish information concerning an upcomingEvent, or may publish information concerning a GeoPlace or otherGeolocation, whereby others may request to receive an invitation to theEvent. The information about the Event may be limited, so that otherswill not know at what location the Event will occur. After other'srequest an invitation, the user who created and published the Event canselect among those that requested to send specific invitations thereto.At that time, the user who created the Event may provide details aboutthe Event, such as location and/or time information to the invitees.Moreover, the user who created the Event may continue to withholdinformation until he or she chooses to inform the invitees, such as onthe day of the Event.

Additionally, a “popularity” feature may be included that allows a userto follow and to provide information on the activity of another user,Content, Geo Place, Event or general Geolocation. Once the user isprovided the rights to follow, the user may be notified of changesand/or interact therewith. Moreover, the user may be given a “thumbs up”or “thumbs down” feature that allows the user to rate Content, GeoPlace, Event, or other portions thereof.

In addition, a “sharing” feature may be included that allows a user toshare Content, Geo Place, Event, notification, or another aspect of thesystem disclosed herein.

Preferably, a user of the present invention may be notified of othersthat have certain interests or commonalities, thereby driving socialinteraction between users of the present invention. For example, a usermay be notified of the numbers and/or identities of others that mayvisit a Geo Place or an Event, and allow the users having thiscommonality to contact and correspond together. The connection may bemade based on one or more of several parameters, such as, for example,whether the user knows the other users, whether the user hascorrespondence or communicated with the other users in the past, whetherusers unknown to each other visit the same or similar Geo Places and/orEvents, whether the users have certain contacts or “friends” in common,etc. The system of the present invention may recognize that users havecommonalities based on these parameters, and other like parameters, andmay send messages to users informing the users of these commonalitieswith other users.

Specifically, the system of the present invention may create a so-called“Nexus” or a score for a user relative to other users, and may connectthe user with other users utilizing the Nexus. For example, a Nexusbetween user 1 and user 2 may increase when the system recognizes thatuser 1 and user 2 have visited the same Geo Places and/or Events, eitherat the same time and/or at different times. The system may contact user1 and user 2 to inform them of this commonality when the Nexus scorebetween user 1 and user 2 reaches a certain, pre-defined thresholdvalue. It should be noted that any parameter may be utilized to increaseor decrease a Nexus score between users, and the invention should not belimited as described herein.

For example, user 1 and user 2 may be physically located at a Geo Placeor Event at the same time. Because of certain commonalities that aretracked by the system of the present invention, the Nexus score betweenuser 1 and user 2 may be relatively high. Specifically, user 1 and user2 may have previously corresponded with each other, may be recognized as“friends” within the system or within another social networkingplatform, such as Facebook, may have visited other Geo Places orattending other Events, either at the same time or separately, etc. TheNexus between user 1 and user 2 may reach the threshold value, and thesystem of the present invention may inform both user 1 and user 2 thatthe other is at the same Geo Place and/or Event at the same time, andmay further help to guide the users together so that they can physicallyinteract with each other.

A user's Nexus score may further be enhanced based on other factors. Forexample, a user may invite “friends” to activities, and thus the Nexusscore may be weighted or otherwise increase based on this connection.Specifically, a user may invite a person to an event or activity, asdescribed herein, through the App via SMS, for example. The System ofthe present invention thus marks that a stronger connection than othertypes of invites and collectively adds a connection to those usersbetween Nexus and friends. The System of the present invention mayautomatically deem users friends based on their connections and how theymay be invited to events or activities. All other invitees beforegaining a status of Nexus or Friends may simply be inviter and invitee.

The systems of the present invention may allow for specific data miningfeatures that may allow the systems of the present invention to activelytrack and predict a user's interests. From there, the systems of thepresent invention may utilize the information to present certain contentto the user based on the predicted interests. Specifically, because theuser actively engages geofences when attending Events or visitingGeoPlaces, certain information may be gleaned from the user's engagementwith the Event or GeoPlace. Specifically, the systems of the presentinvention may track and save information concerning what activities theuser attends or visits at Events or GeoPlaces, when he or she attendsand for how long, with whom he or she attends with, what the user doesduring the attendance of the Event or visiting of the GeoPlace, who elsemay be there and what interest others may have. With respect toinformation gleaned from other individuals, it may be possible todetermine a user's interests if he or she shares common features ortraits with others that also attend Events or visit GeoPlaces. Ofcourse, the user may be provided with settings or policies that he orshe may set regarding the tracking of his or her interests by thesystems. Likewise, systems of the present invention may also gleannegative information concerning activities based on attendance or visitsto Events or GeoPlaces relating to what the user is not interested in.Both positive and negative interest information may be utilized bysystems of the present invention to obtain a user's interests forpossible content presentation, as detailed below.

Interests may also be generated, identified, and/or weighted based onpost-activity (after attending or while attending an activity) orpost-event (after attending or while attending an event) questionnairesthat may be presented to a user during and/or after an Event orattendance at a Geo Place. The questionnaire may be presented to theuser to obtain how much interest the user may have in the Event or GeoPlace. The post-activity questionnaire may request ratings or rankingsof events/activities, and the value and accuracy of each interest forsuch event/activities to user and also the relevance of interests tosuch event/activities. The post-event questionnaire may request ratingsor rankings of events/activities, and the value and accuracy of eachinterest for such event/activities to user and also the relevance ofinterests to such event/activities. The questionnaires may be presentedto the users for tracking of interests, and may be utilized for trackingEvents or Geo Places that users may be interested in, and their relativeinterests in these Events or Geo Places, but also the System may thentrack Events or Geo Places that a user may be disinterested in, or evendislike, and the relative disinterest or dislike associated with thoseEvents or Geo Places. This tracking shall utilize other Systemalgorithms along with information such as time, location, socialconnection and learned data. The System of the present invention mayincentivize the constant updating of his or her interests by providingadvantages or other incentives to do so. The relative interests ordisinterests may be utilized by the System herein for matching Eventsand Geo Places with the users or for matching other users with the userbased on these.

Interests may be identified, named and stored by the present inventionand associated with the user after they are generated and/or identified.The interests may become part of the information stored by the presentinvention and associated with the users, and may be private (i.e., notseen or discerned by some or others) or public (discoverable by otherusers). Preferably, interests generated, named, identified andassociated with users may be public so that others can discover or seeuser's interests, but may be selected by the user as being private ifthe user so chooses. Such public interests can be determined a commoninterest with a plurality of users if applicable. Private interests maybe shared to other users who attend events/activities that include suchprivate interests, and once attended these private interest may becomepart of the profile of the attended user. The System of the presentinvention may utilize the private interests for contacting others thathave the same title and descriptions of other private and/or publicinterests.

An “influence” may be an element that may influence a user's interest ina particular Event, Geo Place or other activity. Specifically, thepresent invention may track elements that may be present at Events, GeoPlaces or other activities that can influence whether or to what degreethe user may have an interest in the Event, Geo Place, or otheractivity. Elements such as the actual physical geo-location andattendance at Events, Geo Places, or other activities, and/or how manytimes the user may attend or visit the Event, Geo Place or otheractivities, the identification of others that may have also attendedEvents, Geo places or other activities, and other like elements. An“Influence” may be utilized to identify what influences a user to engagewith another user or engage, mark to attend or attend an activity/event;and further the value of the interests that are part of theactivity/event. “Influence” also takes in to account the socialconnections, Nexus, and that may contribute, along with times, dates,locations and all combinations of such over evolving (continuouslylearning) algorithms.

The information gleaned from a user based on Events attended andGeoPlaces visited, as well as the ancillary information gleaned fromthat visit may be used to push content to the user based on his or herinterests, as determined by the systems of the present invention. Inaddition, certain content may relate to multimedia data presented to theuser. In addition or alternatively, content presented to a user based onhis or her interests, as gleaned by the systems of the presentinvention, may be brand related.

In an example, a user may create an Event or define an activity usingthe systems and methods of the present invention, such that the Event oractivity may be populated with the present invention and accessible toothers in the manner described herein. Specifically, the user mayprovide information concerning the Event, such as location, date/time,or other related information. With an activity, the user may definegenerally what he or she would like to do, without specifying aparticular Event. Specifically, the user may create the activity withthe present invention by specifying that he or she wishes to attend aconcert, a movie, or other activity at a certain date/time and generallocation. Therefore, a user may wish to include or invite others, andwhich may share his or her interests based on the type of activity, asopposed to a specific activity already defined. The System of thepresent invention thus may allow a user to generate activities forthemselves, and their social network based on connections generatedherein may allow others to partake in the activities, thereby creatingnew opportunities available on demand to any user on platform.

Therefore, the user may create a type of activity, known as “Let's DoThis” activity or event in the present invention (hereinafter, “LDTEvent” or simply “Event”) using an “LDT Module.” The user may definewhen, where, what, and with whom. Specifically, the user may definespecific dates, times, or may generally define dates and times withoutspecificity, which includes allowing the invited/included group todecide on the times and dates of the Event. Moreover, the user maydefine specific locations or general locations and areas for the type ofEvent, such as locations near the user, near another user, near acentral location, near a point of interest, anywhere or in any otherlocation, which includes allowing the invited/included group to decideon the locations. Finally, the user may define the activity based on thetype of Event (through interest selections) without specifying theprecise activity, or may choose to select a specific activity interest,which includes allowing the invited/included group to decide on theadding more users to the Event. Thus, the user may specify, using thesystems and methods of the present invention, a Geo Place and/or anEvent that may be accessible and attended by other users, as describedherein. The user who creates the LDT Activity is known as the“LDT-Creator” and LDT-Creator may change the selections for the when,where, what and with whom at anytime through the LDT Module. Therecipients of the LDT Event information may be known as“LDT-Recipients”. The LDT-Creator may place a minimum and/or maximumattendance allowed. LDT-Creator can add other requirement forinvited/included users to act on or complete in order to attended, suchas participation in deciding on activity details or inviting others, orsharing with other to attend.

The user may further provide information on who he or she wishes toinvite/include to the Event. The user may invite any person, only knownfriends, those who share interests, or those that share Nexus scores.For example, the user may select one or more particular interestsassociated with the user to invite only those that share the one or moreparticular interests. The user may further send invites to othersoutside of the systems and methods of the present invention, such as viaemail, social networking applications, text message, through othersocial networks, through other electronic means, or other likecommunication platforms, to ensure that those that may be offline fromthe systems and methods of the present invention, receive the invite.The user may further define the minimum and/or maximum number of peopleinvited, may provide further custom details.

FIG. 23 illustrates a method of the present invention including stepsthat may be utilized to create an LDT Event according to the presentinvention. In a first step 2302, information concerning an LDT Event maybe uploaded to the present System by a first user using a computingdevice. The information may include at least one of a geographiclocation, a date, a time, and a type of activity, and along with atleast one other user or non-user. Preferably, the information mayinclude information on two or more or all of the parameters defined. TheSystem of the present invention may utilize the information, via step2304 to define an Event and define a geofence for the Event based on thegeographic location thereof. The Event may be based solely oninformation from the first user, or the first user may request otherusers' input on determining the Event decisions: its location, its dateand time, invitees/included, and other elements of the Event. Finally,the System of the present invention may invite at least one other useror non-user via step 2306 to the defined Event, and may further trackthe attendance at the defined Event based on the first user and the atleast one other user's physical presence at the Event.

The at least one other user or non-user may be invited by the first userdirectly, or may be generated and invited by the Systems of the presentinvention based on Nexus, Social and interests associated with the atleast one other user. For example, the other user or users may beinvited based on interests they have previously defined, “Influence” orbased on other Events that they may have attended in the past. Likewise,other users may be invited based on how closely their previously definedinterests are to previously defined interests of the first user, even ifthe first user has never met the other users previously. Thus, thesystem may be utilized by users to interact with prior strangers basedon their shared interests.

The LDT-Creator can select to make the LDT shareable by the recipientswho are invited, meaning these recipients can share with theirrecipients and then those recipients can also share and this continues.In the alternative the LDT-Creator may also lock the sharing; thereforeonly those invited by LDT-Creator may attend. LDT-Creator may alsochoose to require recipients to partake in suggestions or comments inorder to secure the ability to attend. The LDT Module therefore becomesa collaborative platform to define an Event amongst its recipients todecide on the when, where and what, and accordingly with whom, which mayallow control to the LDT-Creator to make the final selections.Alternatively, the LDT-Creator may define an LDT Event requiring a groupdecision to be made allowing input from all LDT-Recipients. The LDTRecipients may also be given the right to select the final decision forthe what, when, and/or where based on settings from the LDT-Creator.

Other users of the present invention may be invited to attend or mayotherwise discover the Event, or otherwise access information on theEvent based on shared interests with the user who generated the Event ordefined the general activity. Of course, other factors may be utilizedfor matching Events with other users, such as location, date/time,shared social connections, learning user behaviors, predictivealgorithms, or other like parameters, and the invention should not belimited as described herein. For an Event, users that match interestswith the user that generated the Event, for example, may be providedwith the ability to indicate whether he or she will attend the Event.Moreover, users that are matched based on interest matching algorithmsand along with other algorithms (such as: based on location, time,social connections, interests ratings and more) with the user thatgenerated the general activity may be connected so that they maycommunicate with each other to further define the Event. For example, ifa user wishes to attend a movie, and his or her interests indicate thathe or she likes to attend action movies, then others that share his orher interests may be connected thereto and allowed to communicate witheach other so that an Event can be defined, such as attending aparticular movie at a particular date/time. Thus, users that may or maynot know each other can collectively create Events based on their sharedcommunication generated by their shared interests.

Thus, invitees may be generated by the systems and methods of thepresent invention based on specific invites from the user, or throughinterest matching and/or Nexus, as described herein. Those that arematched are provided an invite and an ability to accept, decline orother like notification, such as “opt-in”, “opt-out”, “may attend”,“contribute financially” or “see others attending” before makingdecisions. Further, as noted above, those who are invited may contributeby participating to determine decisions of the Event.

In another embodiment, brands may be identified as of particularinterest to a user based on attendance at Events or GeoPlaces. Forexample, if a user attends a plurality of National Football League(“NFL”) games at a stadium, then the systems of the present inventionmay glean or infer that he or she has a particular interest in the NFL,and may be able to generate specific content for the user based on thisgleaned interest, or may present to the user Events or GeoPlaces to theuser based on this interest, such as, for example, an NFL themed party.Thus, the systems of the present invention may glean specificbrand-specific information of interest of a user.

Brands may further utilize the information gleaned by the systems of thepresent invention to provide specific brand-related content to the user.For example, a brand may set up specific Events or GeoPlaces that relateto the brand, and may offer incentives to users based on if they attend,when they attend, how long they attend, and other like factors.

In addition, the systems of the present invention may allow a user totrack information concerning another individual that may utilize thesystems, as described herein. For example, if a user wishes to track thelocation and, specifically, Events and GeoPlaces visited by anotheruser, the user may do so, assuming that the other user allows this typeof tracking. Oftentimes, individuals that users are interested intracking or connecting with may be “influencers”, having their owninterests that may be apparent to users that track or connect with them.Oftentimes, another user may actively promote a particular brand, or anEvent, or a GeoPlace, and if the user follows this other individual,information concerning the user's interests can be gleaned based on theuser's tracking or connecting with the other individual. Content may begenerated or provided to users, therefore, based on other user'sinterests or promotion if the other user is tracked or connected to theuser.

User interests, as gleaned by the systems of the present invention, mayfurther be utilized to aid a user as he or she visits an Event or aGeoPlace, or simply visits a location that is not a specific Event orGeoPlace. For example, a user may vacation in a geographic location andmay wish to try things, such as attending Events or visiting GeoPlacesof which he is unaware. The user may request that the systems of thepresent invention design an activity schedule based on attending Eventsor GeoPlaces, or other like locations, that may match a user'sinterests. Specifically, a user may request that the system plan a dayof activities in a city that the user has little knowledge of. Thesystem may utilize the interest information gleaned based on the user'spast activities, and may schedule a day of activities for the user todo.

Likewise, instead of basing a schedule of events on the user's interestsas gleaned by the systems of the present invention, as described above,the user may set a particular goal, or may present specific informationconcerning what he or she may wish to do to the system, and the systemmay design a schedule of events based on that stated goal or otherinformation. For example, although a user may not have provided pastinterest information relating to English Premier League soccer, avisitor to London may wish to partake in attending events relating tothe English Premier League and may express that goal to the systems ofthe present invention, which may then design a schedule of Events orGeoPlaces, or other locations, based on this goal for the user.

The user may further be provided with the ability to easily generateContent, such as by providing the user, via the App, with Instant Video,Instant Picture (or Photo), Instant, Audio, or other Content generatingfeatures (such as URL capture, screen capture, or the like).

A user of the system of the present invention may have specific cameracontrols, such as for taking photographs and video, as desired.Specifically, the system of the present invention, either by itself orin conjunction with the other features described herein, may obtainaccess to the camera features of a user's mobile device, and providespecific functionality. In a first embodiment, a user may be presentedwith a “camera option” to take a photograph. As the user selects an iconor otherwise selects to activate the camera functionality of his or hermobile device, the system of the present invention may immediately beginto record video, from the moment the camera feature is activated to whenthe still photograph is taken. Once the still photograph is taken, theuser may be presented with options to review, save or delete the videotaken when the camera was activated up to the time the still photographis taken. Thus, a user may capture candid moments otherwise notcaptured. Therefore, the user may wish to save the video file recorded,or at least a portion thereof, and share it with friends through socialnetworking sites, or directly with others.

In conjunction with the embodiment described above, the system of thepresent invention may also continue recording for a particular period oftime after a still photograph is taken. The system may further providean option to a user to review, save and/or share anautomatically-created gif file that may be generated from severalseconds prior to the still photograph to several seconds thereafter. Ina preferred embodiment, the system of the present invention mayautomatically generate a gif file of five seconds prior to a stillphotograph being taken and 3 seconds after the still photograph istaken, although it should be noted that any period of time prior to andafter a still photograph is taken may be used to automatically generatea gif file.

Moreover, the system of the present invention may process the gif filethat is automatically created to create a processed version of the giffile. Specifically, the system of the present invention may analyze thegif file and identify individuals, animals, moving items, and other likesubjects within the gif file that may have movement associatedtherewith. The system of the present invention may select boundaries ofthe subjects within the gif file and exaggerate the movements of thesubjects. Therefore, the gif file, while originally created from anactual event, may turn the actual event into a processed event, havingaccelerated movements of subjects therein, to create funny or otherwiseengineered situations. Users may be presented with options to save,delete, or share the automatically-created gif.

Photographs that may be taken with a user's smart phone or other mobiledevice may typically be of individuals that may be together at an Eventor within the same GeoPlace. The systems and methods of the presentinvention may identify the individuals that may be part of a photographbased on a number of factors, including facial recognition sensors andother like sensors. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, because thesystems of the present invention can track individuals, based on theirpresence at an Event or within a GeoPlace, the systems of the presentinvention may utilize the information to identify individuals inphotographs.

For example, a user may take a photograph with one or more others whoare at an Event or GeoPlace utilizing the systems and methods of thepresent invention. Because the systems of the present invention know whois present at an Event and/or GeoPlace, the time that they are inattendance, and/or their location during the time they are present atthe Event and/or GeoPlace, the system can utilize the information toidentify those in attendance in the user's photograph. Specifically, thesystems of the present invention may determine a time the photograph wastaken, and the individuals in proximity to the user at that particulartime to aid in identifying whether the individual or individuals are inthe user's photograph.

Therefore, based on the individuals' geolocation at the Event and/orGeoPlace, and in conjunction with other sensors, the systems of thepresent invention may automatically identify the individuals in thephotographs. Options may be available allowing the user to verify theidentity, or be presented with possible matching identities so that theuser may select the identities of those captured in the photograph.

The systems and methods of the present invention allow precise trackingof users at Events and/or Geo Places. Specifically, because the systemsand methods of the present invention track user's location, via theirsmart phones or other like devices, the systems and methods candetermine the number of users at an Event or Geo Place at any time.Users that create Events may wish to know how many attendees may bepresent at an Event, and this information can be provided to them, or toanyone else. For example, a user may create an Event page that may beviewable by users of the present system, in which the attendance can bedisplayed to viewers. The attendance data may be presented as “totalattendance”, “peak attendance,” “average attendance,” and/or attendanceat any particular time or times. This is useful because the systems andmethods of the present invention may track “actual” attendance preciselyinstead of “estimated” attendance. Of course, the attendance data may beprovided to any user in any form, and the present invention should notbe limited as described herein.

In addition, because attendance at a Geo Place or at an Event can beprecisely monitored, it may be desired to set up a payment transactionwhen a user crosses a geofence. Specifically, a user may be invited orotherwise wish to attend an Event or physically travel to a Geo Place,and the Event or attendance at the Geo Place may require a payment toattend. Once the user crosses a geofence to attend an Event or visit aGeo Place, then the system of the present invention may run a paymenttransaction for a certain fee. This payment transaction may beautomatically done once the user crosses the geofence and attends theEvent or visit the GeoPlace.

Alternatively, the payment may be presented to the user as an optiononce the user crosses the geofence to accept or decline the payment.Alternatively, a user may be presented with a warning that payment willbe deducted once the user crosses an approaching geofence, and if he orshe does not intend to attend the Event or visit the GeoPlace, then heor she may change course to avoid the geofence. Payment, whetherwarnings provided when approaching a geofence, or whether automaticallyprocessed upon crossing a geofence, may be selected by a user insettings or policies that the user may set for his or her account.

The user's smartphones that are used to track the user's location may beutilized for authentication of transactions, offering enhanced securityfor the transaction. Specifically, transactions within an Event attendedor at a GeoPlace may be authenticated using the user's smartphone andlocation tracking. Specifically, if a user attends a concert, forexample, and wishes to purchase a t-shirt at the t-shirt booth, thetransaction may be done through the systems of the present invention,and the user's smartphone may add a level of security because the user'spayment information may be tied to the smartphone, and the smartphonemay be easily tracked via the systems of the present invention.

In another example, a user of the systems and methods of the presentinvention may purchase products or services from a retail establishmentusing a cashless system, as provided by the present invention.Specifically, the user may, for example, select items in a retail storeand add those items to a basket, a bag or a cart that may be tied to theuser. More specifically, the basket or bag may have a unique identifierthat is associated with the user, such as when the user enters the storeand selects the basket, bag or cart having the unique identifier. Theuser may scan or otherwise input the unique identifier into theapplication of the present invention to associate the user with thebasket, bag or cart. Items for purchase may be placed within the basket,bag or cart having their own unique identifiers, such as UPC codes,other like codes, or other trackable elements (electronic, sensor,magnetic, etc). The present invention, therefore, may be utilized totrack or otherwise receive the unique identifiers of the products storedwithin the basket, bag or cart. Therefore, the present invention maykeep an inventory of items intended for purchase. Alternatively, theitems may be brought to a “purchase location” and scanned by a cashieror via self-serve scanning, automatic checkout. When the user enters thepurchase location, exits the store, or otherwise enters a regionsignaling the user's intention to purchase, which can be set up as a GeoPlace, according to the present invention, the user may use the presentinvention to facilitate the purchase transaction. Upon entering thepurchase area Geo Place, the present invention may automatically processthe transaction with the tracked or identified inventory of products, ormay present purchase options to the user. The user may have pre-enteredmoney in his or her account to utilize for the transaction or may opt toautomatically or manually use another purchase option, such as banktransfer or credit card. Loan options may also be presented to a userfor purchasing goods using the present invention. The confirmation ofthe user's device, interaction with invention, additional interactionsrequired by user (password, questions, etc) confirm the accuracy of thepurchase.

Transactions provided by the present invention may have heightenedsecurity. As noted above, utilization of tracking means according to thepresent invention may be utilized to authenticate the user for thetransaction. For example, a payment transaction that occurs outside ofthe user's present location, as tracked by the systems and methods ofthe present location, may be flagged as being fraudulent because thetransaction occurs away from the user's present location. Likewise,transaction may have additional security, including unique transactioncodes tied to both vendors and users, the entering of vendor and useridentifiers to start transactions, especially if tracking is down,additional credential requirements to facilitate transactions besidestracked location, storing of transactions and user identity informationat time of purchase, and other like additional security mechanisms.Moreover, users can set purchase limits and auto-load money features toensure that money is available for purchase. System can also provideuser spending habits and data for better behaviors. Likewise, as notedabove, lenders can become tied to the systems and methods of the presentinvention to provide loans to purchases as needed. The combination ofuser's preferences, data of behavior, possession of device's Geolocation, additional prompted questions and other electronic securitydevice connections the security and accuracy is enhanced for User,Merchant and Credit card issuers and banks.

Another form of transaction can occur using the systems and methods ofthe present invention. Specifically, the systems and methods of thepresent invention may be utilized to drive consumers to purchaselocations as a form of marketing. Because the present invention mayutilize user tracking information, a geofence may be placed around avendor's store and users of the application may be tracked as they enterthe store. Thus, the systems and methods of the present invention canautomatically and immediately track customers that enter the retailstore. The vendors may utilize this information to pay for thismarketing. For example, a program designed to drive consumers to avendor's retail establishment may be paid for by the vendor to thefacilitator of the program (the advertiser or marketer) based on a “payper arrival” (“PPA”) method, meaning that the vendors only pay theadvertiser/marketer based on the number of users actually cross thegeofence and enter the retail store. Each time a user or non-userarrives at such location, with matching interests, social connectionsand influence the payment is due based on results.

The marketing program may be defined by the vendor using the systems andmethods of the present invention. For example, the vendor may definespecific information relating to potential consumers, such as theirinterests. The interests may be used to match with consumers orpotential consumers having matching interests as defined by the vendors.The systems and methods of the present invention may provide suggestionsto the user based on the matches, thereby potentially driving theconsumers to the retail store. Once a user, having been matched to thevendor via their interests, crosses the geofence into the vendor'sstore, then the vendor may be charged for use of the systems and methodsto obtain the customer. As noted above, interests may be tracked,analyzed, and determined based on user input, activities and Eventsattended, or other like methods as described hereinabove.

The present invention may also provide conversion metrics to businessesbased on data from payment processors, credit card merchants, creditcard issuers, banks, and other services, and to include integrationswith the businesses themselves, POS systems or other software andhardware within the business.

Geo Places and/or Events may typically have several individuals that areutilizing a network for uploading and downloading data. The network maytypically be in the form of a Wi-Fi network, a cellular network, or anyother wireless network apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Itis often the case that when a large number of individuals are togetherin the same place, such as in a Geo Place or at an event, the wirelessnetwork may become bogged down and sluggish, thereby preventing usersfrom utilizing the wireless network for social networking or for otherelements provided herein by the system of the present invention. In anembodiment of the present invention, a user of the system, such as anindividual or organization that has created a Geo Place and/or an Eventmay wish to control a network, adding bandwidth when needed. Therefore,in an embodiment of the present invention, the system of the presentinvention may allow a user to ping the wireless network, such as theWi-Fi network, using the frequency of the wireless network. An initialsignal sent at the same frequency may be sent out and subsequentlyretrieved by the user and evaluated to determine the number of uniqueusers on a wireless system, or an approximation of the number of uniqueusers on a wireless system.

Specifically, information would be necessary to determine at whichfrequency to send out the initial signal. For example, knowing the makeand model of a Wi-Fi wireless router would allow a user to manuallyselect the particular frequency at which to send the initial signal. Thesubsequently retrieved signal could be compared against the initialsignal, or against a database, to determine the number of unique userson a Wi-Fi network. Alternatively, the system of the present inventionmay automatically determine the make and model of the wireless networkby sending an identification signal and determining the frequency atwhich the wireless network is transmitting and receiving. Onceidentified, an initial signal, as described above, may be sent tointeract with the wireless network signal, and the number of uniqueusers on the wireless network may be identified.

Once it is determined how many users are on a wireless network, a usermay be able to better control access to the wireless network, allowadditional routers to be utilized, if necessary, turn routers off, ifnecessary to save cost, or for any other purpose.

In addition, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a usermay be provided the ability to define or create an Event, where aplurality of Geo Places may be defined and associated therewith. Theuser may further be provided the ability to create an Event withoutphysically being present in a particular Geolocation, and further theuser may have the ability to control the Event created, such asproviding specific Rules for Placement of Geo Places and other likecontrol features.

User's attending an Event or visiting a GeoPlace that may have adiscrete network, such as a wife network, a Bluetooth network, or otherlike network, may allow a user to track his or her location within thatEvent or GeoPlace that may be provided by the Event or GeoPlace, evenwhen a connection with the internet is unavailable, which may happenwithin certain buildings. Specifically, sensors may be utilized to allowtracking of the user's smartphone. A local map may be provided and thesensors may be utilized to track the user's location on the local map.

In another embodiment of the present invention, certain features tied tothe physical mobile device, such as the user's smartphone or the like,may be utilized by the present invention for additional functionality.For example, mobile devices typically include accelerometer, gyrometersor other like motion sensors. A user may require help when using thesystems and methods of the present invention. A dynamic interactive toolmay be utilized to signal to the systems and methods of the presentinvention that the user needs help in some manner. For example, the usermay wish to obtain help by accessing a help screen and may easily do sosimply by shaking the mobile device. Of course, other functionality maybe tied to the mobile device based on shaking the same, and the presentinvention should not be limited as defined herein. Moreover, the systemsand methods of the present invention may be able to discern simple“jostling” of the mobile device from actively shaking the same when theuser desires help. Type of Shake and its length, manner and style cangenerate different responses and regardless the responses can vary basedon user, screen, and many other factors.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, referencesthroughout the specification to “the invention” are non-limiting, and itshould be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant todescribe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the inventionillustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absenceof any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

I claim:
 1. A method of receiving monetary value based on the attendanceof an individual at a geolocation comprising the steps of: providing aserver and an application running on the server; defining a geolocationholding an event associated with a first user, wherein the eventcomprises a geofence defined by the application on the server, whereinthe geofence is a virtual boundary on a virtual map representing aboundary around an actual physical location; providing a second userhaving a mobile computing device, wherein the mobile computing device isin communication with the server having the application; tracking thesecond user's location on the virtual map by tracking the second user'smobile computing device's actual physical location using a geographiclocation tracking mechanism on the mobile computing device; and chargingthe first user a monetary amount when the second user's location on thevirtual map enters the geofence associated with the event, therebyrepresenting that the second user's mobile computing device is locatednear the event.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: invitingthe second user to the geofence using the application on the server. 3.The method of claim 2 wherein the step of inviting the second user isbased on at least one of: matching the second user's interests withparameters defining the event, the second user's proximity to the firstusers, and the second user's previous attendance at the geolocation. 4.The method of claim 2 wherein the step of inviting the second user isbased on social connections with at least one other user.
 5. The methodof claim 2 further providing the steps of: associating an influencescore to the second user, wherein the influence score is based on priorevents attended by the second user and tracked by the application,wherein the step of inviting the second user is based on the influencescore.